234 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



inspanued, and having proceeded about eight miles 

 through the forest, steering for a range of rocky mount- 

 ains, we reached a gorge in the same. Here we cross- 

 ed a small river, and, having followed its banks about 

 three miles, reached Booby, a residence of Bechuanas, 

 being a branch of the tribe of the Baquaines, and gov- 

 erned by a subordinate chief, who was then absent on 

 a visit. I was, however, welcomed by his nephew, 

 named Caachy, a man of pleasing exterior and prepos- 

 sessing manners, who shortly afterward became, and 

 now is, chief of that tribe. 



As the manner in which Caachy succeeded to the 

 chieftainship was peculiar, I may here relate the cir- 

 cumstances attending it. Throughout all the Bechu- 

 ana tribes an absurd belief prevails in witchcraft and 

 supernatural agencies of every Idnd. They also be- 

 lieve that for every transaction there is a medicine 

 which will enable the possessor to succeed in his object. 

 Thus they think those among themselves who work in 

 iron do so under the power of medicine. Their rain- 

 makers, by the power of their medicines, can propitiate 

 the friendly clouds during the protracted droughts of 

 summer. They have medicines to protect them from 

 the lightning's stroke, from the deadly bite of the viper, 

 and from the fatal spring of the lion. They further 

 believe that there is a medicine for guns, the posses- 

 sion of which will cause the gun to shoot well, and like- 

 wise one for the gunpowder, which will give it strength. 



During my visit to Booby I obtained from the na- 

 tives some interesting specimens of native arms and 

 other curiosities, for which they required gunpowder, 

 their chief having in his possession one or two muskets 

 When the chief and his men proceeded to use my pow- 

 der, they missed all they fired at ; the Bechuana mode 



